Animals Review: Affleck and Washington Lead a Netflix Thriller That Feels Overstretched
A review of Animals examines Ben Affleck's Netflix kidnap thriller starring Affleck and Kerry Washington. The film follows a wealthy father in a moral crisis after kidnappers take the wrong child, echoing Akira Kurosawa's High and Low. The review says the movie is overextended and notes Affleck's version does not openly credit those influences.
The review places Animals alongside earlier adaptations of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 kidnap drama High and Low. Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, released last year, moved the story to New York’s music industry and starred Denzel Washington. In that version, the kidnapped child is the chauffeur’s son, prompting questions about whether every life carries equal value.
Ben Affleck serves as producer, director, and co-writer on Animals, which stars Affleck and Kerry Washington. The review notes that its press materials do not mention Kurosawa or Lee, even though the core premise resembles High and Low. It adds that the film introduces many twists and subplots to distinguish itself, but judges it overextended.
The review could shape how Netflix subscribers and film fans decide whether to watch Animals, especially those drawn to Affleck, Washington, or Kurosawa-inspired thrillers. Its criticism of the film’s length and uncredited influences may fuel online debate about adaptation and attribution in Hollywood. That discussion may influence how viewers compare remakes and how creators approach acknowledging source material, though the film’s commercial performance will likely depend on broader audience interest.